The City of Santa Clara is required to reduce litter going into our stormdrains to comply with the Municipal Regional Permit (MRP) mandates. As part of meeting our 40% trashload reduction by 2014, the City of Santa Clara is considering the adoption of a Carryout Bag Ordinance and a Polystyrene Foam Food Ware ordinance. The proposed Carryout Bag Ordinance would require grocery stores, pharmacies, and retail stores to stop providing plastic carryout bags, and charge ten cents for every paper bag at checkout. The Polystyrene Foam Food Ware Ordinance would require restaurants and other public eating establishments to use alternative food ware products that can be recycled, composted, or reused.

Please take a moment to answer a brief survey that will help us understand and address your concerns. Surveys are available for retailers, food vendors, and residents in both English and Spanish.

Additionally, we encourage business representatives and residents to join us at either of the public meetings we will be hosting to provide information about the proposed ordinances, and to answer any questions you may have.